Governor DeSantis Suspends All Remaining Local Government Mandates and Restrictions Based on the COVID‑19 State of Emergency and Bans Vaccine Passports

Today, according to the Governor's Press Office, after issuing an executive order to invalidate all remaining local emergency orders based on the COVID-19 emergency, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 21-102, suspending all remaining local government mandates and restrictions based on the COVID-19 State of Emergency. He also signed new legislation (SB 2006) banning vaccine passports and stem government overreach in Florida.

“Over the last year we’ve avoided protracted lockdowns and school closures in Florida because I have refused to take the same approach as other lockdown Governors. This legislation ensures that legal safeguards are in place so that local governments cannot arbitrarily close our schools or businesses,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “In Florida, your personal choice regarding vaccinations will be protected and no business or government entity will be able to deny you services based on your decision. I’d like to thank President Simpson, Speaker Sprowls and the Florida Legislature for getting this legislation across the finish line.”

SB 2006 will ensure that neither the state nor local governments can close businesses or keep students out of in-person instruction at Florida schools, except for hurricane emergencies, and caps all local emergency at seven-day increments.

Additionally, the legislation codifies the prohibition of COVID-19 vaccine passports. Governor DeSantis enacted this prohibition through an executive order last month, blocking any business or government entity from requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

Executive Order 21-102 states the following:

Section 1. In order to mitigate the adverse and unintended consequences of the COVID-19 emergency and to accelerate the State’s recovery, all local COVID-19 restrictions and mandates on individuals and businesses are hereby suspended.

Section 2. This order eliminates and supersedes any existing emergency order or ordinance issued by a county or municipality that imposes restrictions or mandates upon businesses or individuals due to the COVID-19 emergency.

Section 3. For the remaining duration of the state of emergency initiated by Executive Order 20-52, no county or municipality may renew or enact an emergency order or ordinance, using a local state of emergency or using emergency enactment procedures under Chapters 125, 252, or 166, Florida Statutes, that imposes restrictions or mandates upon businesses or individuals due to the COVID-19 emergency.

Section 4. Nothing herein prohibits a political subdivision of the State from enacting ordinances pursuant to regular enactment procedures to protect the health, safety, and welfare of its population. Only orders and ordinances within the scope of Section 1 based on a local state of emergency or on emergency enactment procedures due to the COVID-19 emergency are hereby eliminated and preempted.

Section 5. This order supersedes Sections 2 and 3 of Executive Order 20-244.

Section 6. This order is effective immediately.